Mounting member for wallboard panel

ABSTRACT

The mounting member ( 10 ) includes a convex-concave section ( 24, 24 A,  24 B) between two edge strips ( 16, 20 ). Edge strip ( 16 ) is connected to framing by a screw ( 18 ) and edge strip ( 20 ) is secured to wallboard ( 14 ) by a screw ( 22 ). An inward push on the wallboard ( 14 ) causes the convex-concave section ( 24, 24 A,  24 B) to compress, allowing the wallboard paneling ( 12 ) to move towards the framing ( 12 ). When the force on the wallboard ( 14 ) is removed, the concave-convex section ( 24, 24 A,  24 B) functions as a spring and moves the wallboard ( 14 ) outwardly from the framing ( 12 ) to a static position (FIGS.  2, 4  and  6 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to building walls formed of framing and wallboard covering. More particularly, it relates to an improved mounting member for resiliently connecting the wallboard to the framing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,805, granted Dec. 5, 1995, to Dwayne W. Becker, discloses connecting a wall panel to framing in a spaced relationship. Sheet metal spacers are attached the framing and wallboard panels are attached to the spacers. The use of the spacers allows the wall covering to be connected to the studding while at the same time permitting limited in and out movement of the wall covering relative to the framing. There is a need for improving the spacer so that the wallboard covering can and will move relative to the framing in response to smaller forces than are required when the system of prior art spacers is used. It is a primary object of the present invention to fill this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes providing a spacer or mounting member for wallboard panel in the form of an elongated sheet metal member having parallel first and second opposite edge portions and a central portion extending between and interconnecting the edge portions. The first edge portion is adapted to be connected to framing members and the second edge portion is adapted to be contacted by a wallboard panel and receive fasteners extending through the wallboard panel into said second edge portion. According to the invention, the central portion has a convex-concave curvature where it connects to the second edge portion. The convex side is directed towards the wallboard panel and the concave side is directed towards the framing members.

In one embodiment, the central portion has a substantially flat section between the convex-concave section and the first edge portion. The flat section may extend at an angle from the first edge portion. In a second embodiment, the convex-concave section of the central portion extends away from the first edge strip as it curves from the first edge strip to the second edge strip. In another embodiment, the convex-concave section of the central portion curves substantially continuously from the first edge portion to the second edge portion and the curvature is substantially semi-circular, resulting in the central portion being substantially semi-cylindrical in shape. When this mounting member is in use and a force is applied inwardly on the wallboard panel, the substantially semi-cylindrical central portion of the mounting strip collapses some on both sides, permitting the wallboard panel to move inwardly substantially normal to the framing wall.

The other embodiments flatten in the region of the convex-concave curvature and behave in much the same manner. In all embodiments, the collapse is caused by a smaller force than is required to collapse the prior art mounting strip.

These and other advantages, objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the illustrated embodiments, and the drawings and the claims, all of which are incorporated herein and are parts of the disclosure of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout, and:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a building wall comprising framing members, spacers incorporating the present invention, and wallboard covering connected to the spacers;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of the mounting strip of the present invention, in a static or relaxed condition;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing the wallboard moved towards the framing member and the mounting strip in a loaded or dynamic condition;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2, but of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 3, but of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIGS. 2 and 4, but of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view like FIGS. 3 and 5, but of the third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,805 shows a building wall constructed from horizontal and vertical framing members and wallboard paneling connected to the framing members. The framing members are constructed from either wood or sheet metal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,805 discloses the use of horizontal spacers or mounting members that are connected to the framing members. The wallboard paneling is connected to portions of the spacers or mounting members that are offset from the portions that are connected to the framing. The present invention provides several improved constructions of the spacer or mounting member.

FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced apart mounting members 10 that form a first embodiment of the invention. The mounting members 10 are shown connected to horizontally spaced apart, vertically extending studs 12. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the studs 12 are shown in the form of wooden studs 12. However, the mounting members 10 can also be used with sheet metal studs.

As is well known, the studs 12 are spaced apart a predetermined distance. A common spacing of the studs 12 is sixteen inches on center or twenty-four inches on center. However, it is common to space some of the studs closer together than the standard spacing of sixteen inches or twenty-four inches. The wallboard covering comes in standard sheet sizes of four feet by eight feet, four feet by ten feet and four feet by twelve feet. Each wallboard panel 14 is a full sheet or a partial sheet.

The mounting members 10 by shown by FIGS. 1-3 each have a first edge portion 16, a second edge portion 18, and a central portion 20. The unstressed sectional shape of the spacer or mounting strip 10 is best shown by FIG. 2. The first edge portion 16 is secured to the flaming (e.g. stud 12) by a screw 18. The second edge portion 20 makes contact with the wallboard panel 14. Screws 22 extend through the wallboard panel 14 and screw into the edge portion 20 of the mounting member 10.

In the embodiment shown by FIG. 2, the central portion 24 of the mounting member 10 has a substantially semi-cylindrical form. That is, it has a substantially semi-circular cross section and maintains this cross section throughout the length of the member 10. Convex-concave central portion 24 is connected to a substantially flat portion that makes a U-shaped bend connection with edge portion 16. On its other side, the convex-concave section joins edge portion 20 at a substantially tangent. FIG. 2 shows the mounting strip 10 in an unstressed or static condition. FIG. 3 shows the panel 14 being moved towards the framing 12. In response to this movement, the convex-concave central portion 24 is flattened somewhat. Owing to its shape, the convex-concave portion 24 bends on both of its sides, allowing the panel 14 to be displaced towards the framing 12 without moving much in either direction of the plane of panel 14. Owing to the shape of convex-concave central portion 24, the panel 14 will move towards the framing 12 in response to relatively small forces being imposed on the panel 14. In FIG. 2, the bight is substantially semi-cylindrical in shape. In FIG. 3, the same bight is shaped more like the end portion of an ellipse.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows the mounting strip 24A in an unstressed condition whereas FIG. 5 shows it in a stressed condition caused by an inward movement of the panel 14. The mounting member 10A has a first edge portion 18 that is connected to the framing 12 and a second edge portion 20 that contacts the wallboard panel 14. As in the first embodiment, a screw fastener 18 connects the edge portion 16 to the framing 12 and a screw fastener 22 connects the wallboard panel 14 to the edge portion 20. In this embodiment, the convex-concave central portion 24A has a substantially flat section 26 that extends at an acute angle from the edge portion 16 and then curves towards edge portion 20 and is connected to edge portion 20 at a substantial tangent. As shown by FIG. 5, when the wallboard panel 14 is pressed towards framing 12, there is some bending of the straight portion 26 causing the acute angle X to become smaller and there is a flattening of the curved section between straight section 26 and edge portion 20.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows the mounting strip 24B in an unstressed condition, whereas FIG. 7 shows it in a stressed condition caused by an inward movement of the panel 14. The mounting member 10B has a first edge portion 18 that is connected to the framing 12 and a second edge portion 20 that contacts the wallboard panel 14. As in the first two embodiments, a screw fastener 18 connects to the wallboard panel 14 to the edge portion 20. In this embodiment, the convex-concave central portion 24B is shaped like one-half of a parable as shown by FIG. 7, when the wallboard panel 14 is pressed towards framing 12, there is some flexing of the region 24B. This curved section 24B flattens somewhat, much like one-half of the generally semi-cylindrical section of the first embodiment.

The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights are not to be limited by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of patent claim interpretation. 

1. A mounting member for a wallboard panel, comprising: an elongated sheet metal member having parallel first and second opposite edge portions and a central portion extending between and interconnecting the edge portions; wherein said first edge portion is adapted to be connected to framing members and the second edge portion is adapted to be contacted by a wallboard panel and receive fasteners extending through the wallboard panel into said second edge portion; and said central portion having a convex-concave curvature where it connects to the second edge portion, said convex curvature being directed towards the wallboard panel and the concave curvature being directed towards the framing members.
 2. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the central portion has a substantially flat section between the convex-concave section and the first edge portion.
 3. The mounting member of claim 2, wherein the substantially flat section of the central portion extends at an angle from the first edge portion.
 4. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the convex-concave section of the central portion extends away from the first edge strip as it curves from the first edge strip to the second edge strip.
 5. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the convex-concave section of the central portion curves substantially continuously from the first edge portion to the second edge portion and the curvature is substantially semi circular.
 6. The mounting member of claim 5, wherein the convex-concave curved section of the mounting member is substantially completely convex on its side directed towards the first edge portion and substantially completely concave on its opposite side. 